Business owner pleads not guilty in water-theft case

YUMA, Ariz. (AP) – The owner of the Diamond Brooks Water Co. has pleaded not guilty in a federal case that stems from allegations that he stole water from the city of Yuma.

Phil Clark entered pleas to dozens of counts during a court appearance in Phoenix Wednesday, following an indictment by a federal grand jury on charges that range from wire fraud to the sale of stolen property.

Federal prosecutors have accused Clark of stealing water from the city, failing to pay employment taxes he collected from his workers and not filing corporate and individual tax returns for several years.

His wife, Suzanne Clark, is facing four counts of failure to file tax forms. She also pleaded not guilty.